Digital Camera Question... [Archive]

gdiza

01-10-2008, 09:07 AM

Hi guys,

I have the HP Photosmart R717 digital camera which I've been using for the past 2 years.

I've enjoyed it but as some of you know, it started to give me hassles a few days ago and I've sent it in for repair, chances are, it won't be fixed.

So... I'm looking at a replacement digital camera should it not be fixable.

Can you guys suggest a suitable/better replacement for that camera.

Something under R2000 I guess, the less the better, but I really want something that is = to the HP R717 or better.

Thanks!

Frankie

01-10-2008, 09:43 AM

I would go with this one or the later version:
Canon IXUS 850IS Digital Camera (7.1MP, 3.8x optical zoom)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-850IS-Digital-Camera-optical/dp/B000IMF3CK

ToxicBunny

01-10-2008, 09:46 AM

If you've been using it for 2 years, chances are that almost everything in the price range that you bought the HP for will be better.

But I'll second Frankie's suggestion, the Canon's are V good cameras.

DDV TECH

01-10-2008, 09:50 AM

bwana

01-10-2008, 09:58 AM

Why not go for a good secondhand digital SLR? Guys are upgrading all the time and you can get a good cam for “cheap”, I got a S5000 (not the best, but still a good cam) for just under a R1k, gave it a good service, got a 1g memory card and bob’s your uncle…Not a bad camera (but also not a dSLR).

I've got a Canon Powershot A560 thats pretty decent for a P&S - miles ahead of a cellphone camera which is a pity.

DDV TECH

01-10-2008, 10:48 AM

ToxicBunny

01-10-2008, 11:21 AM

DDV_Tech : pretty much any camera where you can get interchangeable lenses...

You're looking at putting down a minimum of R5k for a new one.... 2nd hand, well then you can get them relatively cheap

DDV TECH

01-10-2008, 12:17 PM

DDV_Tech : pretty much any camera where you can get interchangeable lenses...

You're looking at putting down a minimum of R5k for a new one.... 2nd hand, well then you can get them relatively cheap

Thanks toxic, I can change the adapter ring on mine, so I’m almost there. It’s a good camera, I think, I’m just a very ****y photographer. :D

bwana

01-10-2008, 12:27 PM

Not a camera expert at all, hence my unwillingness to part with loads of cash for a mik&druk, should have said, looks like a slr then… don’t really know what technically constitutes a digital slr.A digital SLR - Single lens reflex - means that with the aid of a mirror you are actually looking through the lens - in other words WYSIWYG. As you press the button the mirror pops up out of the way and exposes the sensor.

ld13

01-10-2008, 12:48 PM

I think, I’m just a very ****y photographer. :D

I think that is my problem as well... still looking towards a solution for that :o

bwana

01-10-2008, 01:00 PM

I think that is my problem as well... still looking towards a solution for that :oPractice . . . its free. :)

greg_SA

01-10-2008, 01:12 PM

ld13

01-10-2008, 01:24 PM

Practice . . . its free. :)

Indeed. Got some On-the-job training the other day at my bro's matric farewell. First time I took some serious photos with the new camera (Fujifilm S700). Love this thing. Vivid colours and a nice 10x zoom. Getting a 4GB SDHC, some rechargeable Hybrio batteries, screen protector and bag for it now, pushing the total price just over the R2K mark. Quite worth it. I'm happy with it.

Took over 300 photos at the matric farewell. Few came out bad/a bit blurred, but now I know what not to do for next time. Need to watch out for 1) Camera Shake 2) Direct light behind persons 3) Rain :eek: 4) Small 8 year olds that pops up infront of the camera and messes up the photo :rolleyes:

bwana

01-10-2008, 02:12 PM

Took over 300 photos at the matric farewell. Few came out bad/a bit blurred, but now I know what not to do for next time. Need to watch out for 1) Camera Shake 2) Direct light behind persons 3) Rain :eek: 4) Small 8 year olds that pops up infront of the camera and messes up the photo :rolleyes:
Were these daylight shots or evening (flash)?

BTW - if you think your going to want to take your photography to the next level I would think twice about getting too much gear for your current camera and start saving now for a dslr :)

ldmelsa

01-10-2008, 02:29 PM

Small 8 year olds that pops up infront of the camera and messes up the photo

haha

at the one wedding i was it was not 8yo but grownups with camera phones
:mad::mad::mad:
in my shots

~!@# off!!! :D:D:D

DDV TECH

01-10-2008, 02:36 PM

Were these daylight shots or evening (flash)?

BTW - if you think your going to want to take your photography to the next level I would think twice about getting too much gear for your current camera and start saving now for a dslr :)

And DSLR’s you can recommend as a good first time, won’t wanna slash you wrist because of the price, option. Perhaps <R4k?

bwana

01-10-2008, 02:41 PM

And DSLR’s you can recommend as a good first time, won’t wanna slash you wrist because of the price, option. Perhaps <R4k?There are plenty of threads here about the basic dSLRs like the Nikon D40, the Canon 400D/450D/1000D, the Sony (someone help me out here), and the Pentax K1000D. Personally I wouldnt touch the Nikon (too feature limited for my taste) or the Pentax (my mate has one and it keeps falling apart . . literally).

I've heard good things about the Sony (again, someone help me out here) and of course I'm an unabashed Canon fan.

stix

01-10-2008, 04:43 PM

Canon

Alot of Nikons entry level stuff is missing to many basic features - exposure bracketing etc etc

You can get a 350D kit second hand with lens and cards for round 3000

ToxicBunny

01-10-2008, 05:09 PM

The Sony A200 is what bwana is talking about. Has some good features.. is a very good camera from what I've found so far...

bwana

01-10-2008, 05:35 PM

The Sony A200 is what bwana is talking about. Has some good features.. is a very good camera from what I've found so far...Have you posted anything yet? :)

ToxicBunny

01-10-2008, 05:51 PM

Just those 2 or 3 photos on my flickr page.. :)

Have about 200 more that I need to sort through, and will be going on a roadtrip soon to get even more from down the South Coast

BigAl-sa

01-10-2008, 05:59 PM

I would go with those recommending a dslr. The quality is better. Have a look at Outdoorphoto's classifieds for pricing on 2nd hand stuff, but just be aware, as with JunkMail, skelms frequent those classified too - don't do weekend transactions.

ld13

01-10-2008, 06:01 PM

Were these daylight shots or evening (flash)?

BTW - if you think your going to want to take your photography to the next level I would think twice about getting too much gear for your current camera and start saving now for a dslr

Both 50%/100% daylight shots and quite a few evening flash shots. The first shots I took was at 16h of the insides of the hall. They started arriving while the sun was still shining just after +-17h. Then the clouds moved in a bit. Had a few bad shots with the bright cloudy background - note to self, zoom in next time - and a few where the focus was out cause of the light rain that got on the lens. Last couple arrived sometime after 19h.

Noted re: gear. I'm just getting the basics. SD card that can be used in other cameras in any case. Bag - want to protect the camera, I try to look after my stuff. Need to get the rechargeable batteries, to be able to save up for a Groot Meneer (dSLR). Protective film is cheap and it helps keeps the camera in a good condition. Nothing more. No filters/tripods or other stuff. Whatever I need to do, I'll figure out how to do it with what I have.

haha
at the one wedding i was it was not 8yo but grownups with camera phones
:mad::mad::mad:
in my shots
~!@# off!!! :D:D:D

I had this 8yo?, in front of me the whole time with his camera phone going "yoh yoh yoh" @ the 1) Hot girls? :eek: 2) Hot cars. He was a royal pain. I positioned myself just behind the "pro" taking photos for the event, but stood back when the parents wanted to get a close-up shot or something. So I had my fair share of shoulders/heads that pops up on the edges of some photos. Not the worst. We ended up having a small army of 7-9yo to entertain. The pro got fed up with 'em and chased them away :D

bwana

01-10-2008, 06:03 PM

Both 50%/100% daylight shots and quite a few evening flash shots. The first shots I took was at 16h of the insides of the hall. They started arriving while the sun was still shining just after +-17h. Then the clouds moved in a bit. Had a few bad shots with the bright cloudy background - note to self, zoom in next time - and a few where the focus was out cause of the light rain that got on the lens. Last couple arrived sometime after 19h.Or use the flash for fill ;)

Drunkard #1

01-10-2008, 06:58 PM

I've got a big investment in Nikon lenses, so I'm not changing, but look at the available lenses more than the camera when you choose a DSLR. From what I've seen Canon and Nikon are the only ones worth looking at. The others just don't make the spectacular top of the range stuff where new technologies are put first. This allows them to put some of this tech into economical lenses without the big research costs.

A word of advise: don't try out anything you can't afford. F/2.8 70-200mm VR's and similar are like crack - it only takes one hit and you're hooked.

ldmelsa

01-10-2008, 06:58 PM

I had this 8yo?, in front of the whe whole time with his camera phone going "yoh yoh yoh" @ the 1) Hot girls? :eek: 2) Hot cars. He was a royal pain. I positioned myself just behind the "pro" taking photos for the event, but stood back when the parents wanted to get a close-up shot or something. So I had my fair share of shoulders/heads that pops up on the edges of some photos. Not the worst. We ended up having a small army of 7-9yo to entertain. The pro got fed up with 'em and chased them away :D

I just had an idea! :D
Bring one of those moerse Metz45 http://imgsrv2.toppreise.ch/tppics/small/88635_small.jpg flashguns, and blast it in his face when you are pissed off. :D

ldmelsa

01-10-2008, 07:02 PM

A word of advise: don't try out anything you can't afford. F/2.8 70-200mm VR's and similar are like crack - it only takes one hit and you're hooked.

Luckily the cams these days are so good at high ISOs, that the 70-300 VR is all you need, unless you shoot indoor sports (in which case you're a pro anyway).

koffiejunkie

01-10-2008, 08:26 PM

Nikon (too feature limited for my taste) or the Pentax (my mate has one and it keeps falling apart . . literally).

If I bite my tongue any more it will start bleeding. Tell your mate to take it back. He either got a dud or he's extremely heavy handed. Those cameras a rebuilt pretty tough, Pentax has a reputation for that. The K100D series is off the market now anyways, so that's irrelevant. The successor, the K200D is not only built tough, it's got the full weather/dust sealing (a la Canon 1D/Nikon D3) that the K10D first came with.

I had this 8yo?, in front of me the whole time with his camera phone going "yoh yoh yoh" @ the 1) Hot girls? :eek: 2) Hot cars. He was a royal pain. I positioned myself just behind the "pro" taking photos for the event, but stood back when the parents wanted to get a close-up shot or something. So I had my fair share of shoulders/heads that pops up on the edges of some photos. Not the worst. We ended up having a small army of 7-9yo to entertain. The pro got fed up with 'em and chased them away :D

Well, there's an excellent motivation for getting a DSLR. It's a bit like in Welkom, where the guy with the biggest wheels goes first. The guy with the biggest camera chooses his spot and no one argues. Well, kinda. If you pull out a big camera and ask people to get out of the way, they tend to assume you're a pro.

bwana

02-10-2008, 08:04 AM

Noted re: gear. I'm just getting the basics. SD card that can be used in other cameras in any case. Bag - want to protect the camera, I try to look after my stuff. Need to get the rechargeable batteries, to be able to save up for a Groot Meneer (dSLR). Protective film is cheap and it helps keeps the camera in a good condition. Nothing more. No filters/tripods or other stuff. Whatever I need to do, I'll figure out how to do it with what I have.SD Cards - many dSLRs also use CF cards so unless you know the dSLR range you're interested in uses SD then I wouldnt stock up just yet. Also the one small advantage of JPG over RAW (which I dont think the s700 offers) is file size. A couple 4gb cards should be more than you'll ever need for a days shooting.

I agree about the filters but why not get a tripod?
If I bite my tongue any more it will start bleeding. Tell your mate to take it back. He either got a dud or he's extremely heavy handed. Those cameras a rebuilt pretty tough, Pentax has a reputation for that. As you can see - two sides to every coin but I'm sure you can appreciate why he - as a regular user of the camera - wouldn't recommend it to anyone and therefor by extension neither would I. Anyway - I regularly shoot canons so I'm comfortable recommending them.

gdiza

05-10-2008, 06:17 PM

Hi all,

I went and bought the Kodak M1033.
R2000.
I also got a 2GB SD Card for it and took close on 150 pictures this weekend.
Those pictures are viewable on my Flickr site, I think the pictures are very cool and I'm very happy with my purchase.

1 thing I do need help with now, is finding another battery for this camera.
Can someone tell me what shop in SA sells it, even a online shop.

I did a few searches and came up with nothing, all I could find was places to purchase the camera itself, but now I want to get an 'extra' battery for it.

Please help...

bwana

05-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Most shops that stock the camera should stock batteries for it.

Have you tried sacamera.co.za or orms.co.za?

gdiza

05-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Most shops that stock the camera should stock batteries for it.

Have you tried sacamera.co.za or orms.co.za?

Both ya... but none list the battery for the camera, only the actual camera itself.
Many sites don't even seem to list Kodak stuff.

koffiejunkie

05-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Looks decent! What kinda battery does it take?

gdiza

06-10-2008, 08:41 AM

Looks decent! What kinda battery does it take?

Li-ion battery, I need to get another one, for those days when I go out with the VWS and I'm on the fireline for a very long time and I want to take lots and lots of pictures.

I want it now too while I actually have MONEY! haha.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 08:45 AM

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/documents/d7/0900688a808513d7/M1033_FF_black_250x200.jpg

10.0 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in. (76 × 102 cm)
3X optical zoom lens
Smart capture mode
HD stills and video
Face detection technology
Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery KLIC-7004

What do you guys think of this camera?
I know it's not one of those SLR type camera's, but I needed something small, that I can take anywhere and a good price and takes awesome pictures.

I was taking pictures on Saturday / Sunday and I loved how the camera changed modes (it comes with like, 20 or so pre-set modes) and when I aimed it at the braai, it changed to the 'fire' mode and when I pointed it at a person, it changed to potrait mode etc... VERY cool!

gdiza

06-10-2008, 08:46 AM

Oh, 1 more question, what setting for video must I put the camera on?

NTSC or PAL?

Why does it matter etc?

bwana

06-10-2008, 08:48 AM

Li-ion battery, I need to get another one, for those days when I go out with the VWS and I'm on the fireline for a very long time and I want to take lots and lots of pictures.

I want it now too while I actually have MONEY! haha.Have you tried any of the Kodak shops around? It looks like a fairly common batter as far as their cameras go.

Use PAL - NTSC is for US televisions (mostly).

gdiza

06-10-2008, 08:52 AM

Have you tried any of the Kodak shops around? It looks like a fairly common batter as far as their cameras go.

Use PAL - NTSC is for US televisions (mostly).

I'm going to goto the Kodak Express in the Waterfront during lunch, I brought my camera so I'll goto them and ask for a battery.

So I must use PAL mode... ROGER THAT! :) Thx bwana.

mercurial

06-10-2008, 08:59 AM

Just google for the battery. I'm sure pricecheck.co.za or jump.co.za will have something.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 09:05 AM

Just google for the battery. I'm sure pricecheck.co.za or jump.co.za will have something.

They do not merc, I can only find sites to purchase the actual camera.
Finding accessories for the camera in question, nothing comes up.

It seems alot of sites do not even sell Kodak cameras, Nikon, Canon, Sony etc are the common ones.

PS: I would think I know how to use Google ;) and I don't want to buy from US/UK sites so I'll just have to do it the old school manual way of buying stuff (take it to shop, and get them to put a battery in, check it comes on and buy it)

mercurial

06-10-2008, 09:16 AM

They do not merc, I can only find sites to purchase the actual camera.
Finding accessories for the camera in question, nothing comes up.

It seems alot of sites do not even sell Kodak cameras, Nikon, Canon, Sony etc are the common ones.

PS: I would think I know how to use Google ;) and I don't want to buy from US/UK sites so I'll just have to do it the old school manual way of buying stuff (take it to shop, and get them to put a battery in, check it comes on and buy it)

If you can find out the exact name/make of the battery I can check it out for you. It should be in the manual.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 09:19 AM

(on actual battery)

Kodak
Digital Camera Battery v3.7V
Rechargeable Li-Ion KLIC-7004
940mAh, min. 840mAh

mercurial

06-10-2008, 09:35 AM

Only info I can find is a number you'll have to call.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 02:00 PM

Hi guys,

No joy!

I can't seem to find this battery, the guys at V&A WF don't have stock, I also called 2 other Kodak shops and they don't have stock either.

HELLLLLLLLP!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

mercurial

06-10-2008, 02:03 PM

Take it back. Get some other camera that has parts that are readily available.

bwana

06-10-2008, 02:04 PM

Maybe next time get a Point and Shoot camera that takes AA batteries?

gdiza

06-10-2008, 02:26 PM

Take it back. Get some other camera that has parts that are readily available.

"Hi, I'd like to buy a camera, but are the accessories easily avail?"

"yes sir"

Where in the hell would they ever say NO?
They'd lose the sale and that won't happen.

bwana

06-10-2008, 02:27 PM

"Hi, I'd like to buy a camera, but are the accessories easily avail?"

"yes sir"

Where in the hell would they ever say NO?
They'd lose the sale and that won't happen.Did the shop only sell Kodaks?

mercurial

06-10-2008, 02:29 PM

"Hi, I'd like to buy a camera, but are the accessories easily avail?"

"yes sir"

Where in the hell would they ever say NO?
They'd lose the sale and that won't happen.

Dude, you ask them if they sell the batteries/whatever accessory you want. If they can't produce it, then you don't buy it unless they can give you the contact info of any other reputable dealer that has it.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 02:38 PM

Did the shop only sell Kodaks?

Yes, it was Incredible Connection, and they sold Sony Cybershots etc and some other cameras that were too expensive for me.
R2000 for a 10MP camera seems like a good deal to me.

Dude, you ask them if they sell the batteries/whatever accessory you want. If they can't produce it, then you don't buy it unless they can give you the contact info of any other reputable dealer that has it.

Merc, how does your mind work?
So what you saying is, if you buy a HDD from say, Computer mania and looking for a external enclosure (you'll need one at some point) and they don't have stock, you won't buy it from them?

Because, the way I figured was that, Yes I can get the camera from IC, and get the accessories from a camera shop at a later stage and the bonus plus would be... it would be cheaper.

Like buying the HDD from one place, but getting the enclosure at another place, and probably cheaper than normal.

I'm furious now because even though it's not the end of the world, something is seriously screwed up presently where not a single KODAK shop actually has a battery, and ONTOP OF THAT, the KODAK JHB office number just rings and rings and rings.

I'm going to send a nice snotty e-mail to Kodak about this and I'm sure they'll do something about it.

mercurial

06-10-2008, 02:45 PM

Yes, it was Incredible Connection, and they sold Sony Cybershots etc and some other cameras that were too expensive for me.
R2000 for a 10MP camera seems like a good deal to me.

Merc, how does your mind work?
So what you saying is, if you buy a HDD from say, Computer mania and looking for a external enclosure (you'll need one at some point) and they don't have stock, you won't buy it from them?

Because, the way I figured was that, Yes I can get the camera from IC, and get the accessories from a camera shop at a later stage and the bonus plus would be... it would be cheaper.

Like buying the HDD from one place, but getting the enclosure at another place, and probably cheaper than normal.

*SIGH* If they sell the camera, then ask them if they have accessories, if they have, then buy it. If they don't have it, ask them for stores that do sell it. It's not rocket science. :rolleyes:

koffiejunkie

06-10-2008, 02:50 PM

linky (http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=11006&pq-locale=en_ZA) - click "where to buy"

If you're really stuck, I can get it off eBay here and post it to you, assuming you're willing to drop a few bokke in my paypal account :)

You can also use wantitall (http://www.wantitall.co.za/KLIC%207004/All/p1) or that useless online retailer, digital something or other.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 02:53 PM

I just called the following place:

info@cranedistributors.co.za

(011) 803-8983
(011) 234-0496

And the lady who answered was very helpful, she's going to get back to me (if they have stock of the battery I am looking for)

But what was interesting was when I told her my issue, she interrupted me and told me exactly what I was going to tell her.

She agrees saying that she hates Kodak, their service is horrible!

...if only I had known this a few days ago :(

Still, I'm going to get hold of Kodak in SA and give them a piece of my mind.

mercurial

06-10-2008, 02:56 PM

bwana

06-10-2008, 02:57 PM

Yes, it was Incredible Connection, and they sold Sony Cybershots etc and some other cameras that were too expensive for me.
R2000 for a 10MP camera seems like a good deal to me.Ouch.

Hope you find you battery though. :)

mercurial

06-10-2008, 02:59 PM

I wonder why it hasn't shown up on google search :confused: The wantitall links.

W@P

06-10-2008, 03:04 PM

In my experience one should avoid kodak, the one that you got looks decent though, maybe they have improved on their previous models.

gdiza

06-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Ouch.

Hope you find you battery though. :)

I think I'm sorted... I've done enough phoning today and driving up and down to pay for this battery twice over...

In my experience one should avoid kodak, the one that you got looks decent though, maybe they have improved on their previous models.

Hey, their cameras are good, just the shops (which are privately owned) are just damn well pathetic!

gdiza

06-10-2008, 04:22 PM

If anyone needs to get stuff from Kodak because the local shops are just kark! then go directly to the following people;

M-PiX - A Division of MFP (Kodak Distributors in South Africa)
Bedfordview, South Africa, 2007
P O Box 415 Bedfordview 2008
Telephone +27 (0)11 723 1800
Fax '+27 (0) 11 723 1972
email: kodaksales@mfpsa.co.za or tineyn@mfpsa.co.za (Tiney Ntuli was the lady who helped me)

My battery is being couriered to me and should be with me tomorrow or Wednesday.

I paid R 223.55 for the battery.

bwana

06-10-2008, 04:26 PM